Drug Treatment Services – For Optimal Outcomes and Long-term Recovery, One Size Does Not Fit All

By Robin Jay

The types of addictions affecting Americans are as diverse as the populations themselves and, as a result, it’s important to select drug treatment services designed specifically for a particular addiction and any co-occurring disorders a person may be facing. The form of substance abuse – from alcohol, prescription drugs, illicit drugs, inhalants, nicotine and others – requires tailored drug treatment services to ensure not only a successful recovery, but also one that provides the highest level of safety, support, motivation and comfort for the participant along the way.

Not only is it important to select drug treatment services based on the type of addiction, it’s also important to select drug treatment services based on other important factors, such as age and gender. Drug treatment services geared for adolescents is different than those for young adults, baby boomers or senior adults – and narrowing the focus for boys or girls, men or women, can also further help ensure that long-term recovery is achieved. Drug treatment services tailored to the specific needs of its patients provide motivational peer support with providers and counselors who understand what motivates each particular demographic. Without targeted drug treatment services, the likelihood of recovery may be reduced. For example, if you were to place a middle-aged woman in a support group with adolescent boys, the woman would likely find it difficult to relate to the others in treatment and may feel the care isn’t specifically designed for her needs. As a result, her buy-in regarding the authenticity and efficacy of treatment may diminish and lead her to drop out of treatment or relapse into substance abuse. Similarly, if you put a person addicted to medication originally prescribed for a medical condition – such as pain from a traumatic injury – he or she may be resentful for being called an ‘addict’ and placed in the same treatment program as people dealing with an addiction to illicit drugs.

Addiction is a disease, and choosing the right drug treatment services is just as important as choosing a medical specialist for care for a medical condition such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes. Treatment for someone with hypertension is different than it is for someone with high cholesterol, and so is treatment for people with various types of addictions.

Deciding on the right venue for drug treatment services

Day treatment services are programs that may be offered through independent clinics or in hospital settings. These drug treatment services are ideal for participants who are best served by attending four to eight hours of onsite treatment daily and then returning home to a stable, supportive environment at night. With day drug treatment services, it’s vitally important that the after-hours environment is one that is not conducive to relapse – such as with family members who formerly provoked or overlooked drug abuse behavior.

Day treatment services are generally offered for a duration not less than 90 days and may meet daily or several times per week. Facilities offering these sorts of drug treatment services may include hospital clinics, local health departments, mental health clinics and offices of local counselors or therapists. Drug treatment services of this type may also be offered on nights or weekends to accommodate people who work or go to school during weekdays.

Detoxification services. Detoxification is a process many people starting treatment may undergo initially in order to remove the substance of abuse – such as alcohol or drugs – from the person’s body, stabilizing him or her for the next stages of treatment. Detox can be a difficult, painful and potentially dangerous process, so it’s important for these types of drug treatment services to be monitored by addiction specialists. Detoxification services help the patient manage withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, delirium, speedy heart rate, seizures or other physical symptoms. Providers may use medications to help wean a patient off an addictive drug gradually. Another option for this process is a medical substitute, such as methadone (see opioid treatment services below) to help in the detox process from addiction to opioids, such as heroine.

Inpatient hospital services. People who need drug treatment services, as well as medical treatment for co-occurring health conditions (such as depression, diabetes, cancer and other chronic conditions), may wish to consider the inpatient services of a hospital that offers access not only to addiction treatment providers for drug treatment services, but also primary and specialty medical doctors to treat co-morbid health conditions.

Opioid treatment services. These types of drug treatment services provide medication-assisted outpatient care for participants who are recovering from addiction to heroin, OxyContin, Vicodin or other opioid drug of abuse. Medications such as Methadone or Buprenorphine are used in opioid drug treatment services to assist patients in overcoming their addictions. Counseling and educational support are also integral components of opioid drug treatment services to ensure the safety and compliance necessary for long-term recovery.

Outpatient services. Generally lasting between 60 days and 365 days, outpatient services are for people who may achieve successful recovery with drug treatment services that require a certain number of hours per week, not necessarily full days or 24/7 care. Outpatient services are best for people who have access to transportation, have a secure and safe place to live and who have a support network of family and friends who will motivate abstinence during times when the person is in drug treatment services.

Residential programs. For patients who may need more than 30 days of care for drug treatment services, a residential program may provide the ideal model of care because the person is assigned to personal onsite living quarters. This home-away-from-home approach provides the comfort and security patients need to focus on recovery rather than the worries of managing the complexities of everyday life. For people who do not have a stable home life, a job or family, a residential program may provide the environment and support that helps the person achieve sobriety and long-term abstinence from drug addiction.

Other considerations when choosing appropriate drug treatment services includes behavioral therapies, group and individual therapies, psychological and psychiatric therapies, spiritual therapies, as well as medical and clinical therapies. When choosing optimal drug treatment services, family members or participants are welcome to call the facilities to discuss treatment options and services.

Recovery View Treatment Services

For more information about drug treatment services, go to www.recoveryview.com or call 877-900-7326. At Recovery View Treatment Resources, you’ll find educational information to help answer your questions about choosing drug treatment services.

by josie

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